Need to Conserve Water

Dear Editor: “Franciscan Toasts Benefits of Tap Water,” (Jan. 5) should be reprinted in every newspaper in the country. Brother Joseph Moloney, OSF, is doing a vital job in fighting the use of bottled water and waging a campaign to make people aware of the need to conserve this resource.

I wish legislators were more conscious of this need, and pass legislation similar to that used in times of drought, when one has to request water in a restaurant, rather than be served a glass automatically.

Jacqueline Angelone
Park Slope

‘Zoey 101’ Not Too Cool

Dear Editor: As a father of a 10-year-old girl, I would not miss Jamie Lynn Spears or her TV show if they were to quietly fade away. I never thought the show promoted very good values, which is basically about a cool girl whose best friend is a geeky guy in love with her but she is too pretty to be his girlfriend.

We see where these backward values lead, as art imitates life and vice-versa. Nickelodeon claims that the new season of “ZOEY 101” will keep us “riveted.” Somehow, I sincerely doubt it.

Michael Chimenti
Bayside

Memorable Christmas Cover

Dear Editor: I would like to respond to a reader (Jan. 6) who questioned the artistic depiction of the Nativity on The Tablet’s Christmas cover. The Nativity cover each year, always a beautiful example of religious art and well deserving of all of the prizes received over the years, is more than that to the people who are listed on that cover. It is really a prayer that contains the concept of community. It contains memories and echoes the values of those people who have been intertwined over many years.

A glance brings back many happy memories of friends and acquaintances. Newly added names show families in growth and missing names show losses. It is a living document that shows not only the beautiful demonstration of our faith by a singular talent who is known for his faith and humility.

The Tablet’s Christmas front page is shared with friends and families around the country and abroad.

It is such a privilege to search each year for names and to be grateful that such a wonderful artist can include us in this spiritual gift.

Helen McCarthy
Bay Ridge

‘Glory Be’

Dear Editor: I would like to change the “Glory Be” to Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit and a new beginning for peace on Earth, world without end. Amen.

Angela Marie Cosenza
Brooklyn

Answer to a Prayer

Dear Editor: I came across “A Habit to Form” to which your reader might have been referring. It contains the recurring phrase “Just for a minute.”

It was published in the March, 1951 “The Baron by the Sea” newsletter of the Knights of Columbus Council #1073 in Sheepshead Bay.

Tom Bowers
Brooklyn

A Habit to Form

I remember when I was only four,

Mother would bring me ‘round the store.

And just outside of the church she’d stand,

And “Come in,” she’d say, reaching down for my hand

Just for a minute.

And then when I started going to school,

She’d bring me down every day as a rule,

But first the steps to the church we’d climb,

And she’d say, “We’ll go in you’ve always got time,

Just for a minute.

Then I got real big, I mean seven years old,

And I went by myself, but was always told,

When you’re passing the church, don’t forget to call,

“And tell Our Lord about lessons and all,

Just for a minute.”

And now it’s sort of habit I’ve got,

In the evening coming from Casey’s lot,

Though it takes me out of my way a bit,

To slip into church with my hat and mitt,

Just for a minute.

But sometimes I see the other fellow

Standing around and I just go yellow.

I pass by the door, but a Voice from within

Seems to say, real sad, “So you wouldn’t come in

Just for a minute.”

There are things inside of me, bad and good

That nobody knows and nobody could,

Excepting Our Lord, and I like Him to know

And He helps, when in for a visit I go,

Just for a minute.

He finds it lonesome when nobody comes

(There are hours upon hours when nobody comes)

And He’

S pleased when anyone passing by

Stops in (though it’s only a little guy)

Just for a minute.

I know what happens when people die,

But I won’t be scared, and I’ll tell you why;

When Our Lord is judging my soul, I feel

He’ll remember the times I went in to kneel

Just for a minute.

Bright Christmas Thanks

Dear Editor: Once again, The Tablet’s Bright Christmas fund has remembered us here at St. John’s Residence and School for Boys in Rockaway Beach with a generous contribution. Please express our words of appreciation to anyone who may have been instrumental in the program.

Happy New Year!

Brother Thomas N. Trager, SM
Executive Director
Rockaway Beach

Dear Editor: Because of the generosity of those who contribute to The Tablet’s Bright Christmas Fund, the children of our parish had a chance to celebrate the feast of the Holy Innocents in style. Thank you!

Would that all the children of this world have what we were able to provide for ours through you.

Blessings in the year ahead.

Father Michael Perry
Pastor
Our Lady of Refuge Parish
Flatbush

Who Is in Charge Here?

Dear Editor: As per Jan 5th News Briefs, the article re the Abbey in Moncks Corner, S.C., what is happening in this country? How is it that a group of whackos can control legitimate organizations, religious or otherwise, in their source of income?
More importantly, why would anyone allow themselves to cave in to such erratic and irresponsible behavior?

It is a proven fact that eggs are a great source of nourishment (unless a person has an allergy – which is an individual problem). What is happening to this country?  The kooks are taking over the entire country!!

I am tired of being told what we can and cannot eat or drink, think, read or watch. Where has the America that I grew up in gone???  Help!!!!!!

Anne Varrone
Howard Beach

One of the Best Teachers

Dear Editor: I was saddened to read in The Tablet that Sister M. Dorinda Dougherty had passed away. I attended grammar school from 1946 to 1954 split evenly between St. Ephrem’s, Dyker Heights, and Our Lady of Angels, Bay Ridge. During that time I was taught by 16 different nuns and Sister Dorinda taught my third grade class at St. Ephrem’s in 1948.

Sister Dorinda was always in my top two of teachers. She was everything a good teacher should be, knowledgeable, kind, and informative.
God bless her.

JIM Lundrigan
New Haven, Ct.

Interreligious Dialogue

Dear Editor:  In response to the News Brief (Jan. 5) “Muslim Scholars Accept Papal Invite to Dialogue,” I am happy to announce the Fourth Annual Interreligious Prayer Service for Peace and Justice at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Williamsburg, on Tuesday, Jan. 22, at 7:30 p.m. 

This year’s theme will be “Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Traditions.” 

Our prayers for peace and justice these past few years have been answered by the document “A Common Word Between Us and You,” endorsed by 138 Islamic clerics which was sent to Pope Benedict XVI and the leader of every Christian denomination. It also invited a response document, “Loving God and Neighbor Together: A Christian Response to ‘A Common Word Between Us and You’,” endorsed by almost 300 Christians. 

I look forward to the ongoing dialogue and future meeting with Muslims and Pope Benedict XVI in February or March that is rooted in our shared beliefs of “Love of God and Love of Neighbor.” 

In the midst of the extremism and terrorism we read in the newspapers, there is hope for peace.

Charles S. Chesnavage
Director of Liturgy
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Williamsburg

Bleacher Preachers’ Update

In last weekend’s football playoff picks, Fathers Rob Keighron and Kevin Sweeney, The Prayer Channel’s Bleacher Preachers, were two-for-four and one-for-four, respectively. The Tablet Editor, who hosts the show, also was two-for-four.

Father Rob missed when he chose Seattle and Indianapolis. Father Sweeney was wrong about the Giants, Indianapolis, and Seattle. The Editor erred with Dallas and Indianapolis. The Colts let down everyone.

This weekend, Father Sweeney likes the Giants and the Patriots to advance to the Super Bowl while Father Rob also is going with the Giants and the Patriots. The Editor, a Packers’ fan, sees the Pack and the Patriots in the big game.